Robles' Fourth Straight Quality Start Not Enough in 5-4 Loss
May 22, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release
COLUMBIA, SC - Domingo Robles posted his fourth consecutive quality start, but West Virginia's bullpen faltered over the final two frames, as Edgardo Fermin singled in Scott Manea to cap a two-run ninth and lead the Fireflies to a 5-4 walk-off victory at Spirit Communications Park on Tuesday evening.
Ike Schlabach (2-1) entered the game in the ninth and only recorded one out in his 10th appearance of the year. Schlabach allowed a leadoff single to Matt Winaker, who moved to second after Rigoberto Terrazas sacrificed him to second base. Manea then stroked a single to left that plated Winaker and tied the game at four. Hansel Moreno followed with a single of his own to put runners at first and second, setting the stage for Fermin's walk-off heroics, whose game-ending knock handed West Virginia (24-18) their first walk-off loss in 2018.
Despite the loss, Robles was stellar once again, throwing less than 10 pitches in five of his first six innings on the hill. He finished with seven innings overall, striking out just one, but held the top four in Columbia's order to 2-for-12 on the day. Robles ultimately tossed 80 pitches, 57 of which were for strikes.
The Power cracked the scoreboard first in the third inning. Lolo Sanchez led the inning off with a single and advanced to second on an error from the left fielder Winaker. Calvin Mitchell then struck out swinging on a ball in the dirt, but on the throw from the catcher to first, the speedy Sanchez was able to move to third. The next batter, Deon Stafford, ripped his third career triple to right-center to score Sanchez, and later scored himself on a wild pitch from Columbia (23-21) starter Brian Campusano, who spun 3.2 innings in his South Atlantic League debut.
Brett Pope extended West Virginia's lead in the fourth, as he registered his first hit with the Power, a run-scoring double, that brought in Kyle Watson, who walked earlier in the frame.
After the Power built a 3-0 lead through six innings, Robles came back out for the seventh frame and worked himself into a two-on, two-out situation with Manea at the dish. The catcher then doubled down the right field line to plate Wuilmer Becerra and Winaker to shrink West Virginia's lead to 3-2 before Robles induced a flyout from Moreno to end the inning.
Blake Cederlind relieved Robles to start the eighth, but prompty served up a leadoff homer to Fermin, tying the game at three and handing Cederlind his second blown save of the season.
The Power retailiated in the ninth, however, as Mason Martin led off the inning with a single before Ryan Peurifoy pinch ran for him at first. Before Conner O'Neil (3-0) threw a pitch to Watson, he attempted to pick off Peurifoy, but his throw sailed past the first baseman, Jeremy Vasquez, and Peurifoy was able to advance to third base. A few pitches later, Watson lifted one into left-center field that plopped in front of Winaker, scoring Peurifoy and putting West Virginia back in front, 4-3.
The Power continue their four-game series against the Columbia Fireflies on Wednesday morning, with first pitch set for 11:05 a.m. from Spirit Communications Park. RHP Gavin Wallace (3-0, 4.01 ERA) is on the bump for West Virginia, while Columbia sends righty Tony Dibrell (1-2, 3.92 ERA) to the hill. Pregame coverage begins at 10:45 a.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at wvpower.com, via the TuneIn Radio App and the MiLB First Pitch App.
Following a four-game stint in South Carolina, the Power return home on May 25 for their final May homestand, as they take on the Kannapolis Intimidators from May 25-28 at Appalachian Power Park. The homestand kicks off with another postgame fireworks show on Friday evening, presented by Electric 102.7. The marquee event of this home stretch is on Saturday with Legends of Wrestling Night, sponsored by Mix 100.9 and The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, which includes a special appearance from Jim Ross and a sports duffel bag giveaway to the first 1,000 fans in attendance. $50 VIP packages are still available for purchase, where fans will receive a ticket to the game, a Perfect Game coupon that includes a hot dog, soda and a bag of chips, and access to a private meet-and-greet, autograph and photo session with Jim Ross. A Kidz Sunday Funday and a Family Buck Night wrap up the Power's final homestand before the team hits the road for Lexington, Kentucky. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 22, 2018
- Tourists Come Back to Defeat Drive, 5-3 - Greenville Drive
- Tourists Grind out Win over Drive - Asheville Tourists
- Lexington Legends Fall in Game Two Facing Rome Braves - Lexington Legends
- Fermin Twice the Hero in Walk-Off Win - Columbia Fireflies
- Robles' Fourth Straight Quality Start Not Enough in 5-4 Loss - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Intimidators Blow by Grasshoppers, Win 9-3 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Rogers Strikes out 5 in Pro Debut - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- 'Dads Slug Four Doubles in Victory over Shorebirds - Hickory Crawdads
- 'Birds Drop Third Straight in Hickory - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Augusta vs. Charleston Postponed - Augusta GreenJackets
- Rain Postpones RiverDogs-GreenJackets in Game Two - Charleston RiverDogs
- Suns-BlueClaws Rained out on Tuesday - Hagerstown Suns
- West Virginia Power: Game Notes (May 22) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Preview: Rogers to Make Pro Debut - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Lexington's MJ Melendez Named South Atlantic League Player of the Week - Lexington Legends
- Fireflies Roster Move and Game Notes: May 22 vs. West Virginia (Game 44) - Columbia Fireflies
- 'Birds, Suns to Play Doubleheader on June 8 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Zimmermann Named SAL Pitcher of the Week - Rome Emperors
- Tourists Defeat Drive in Extras - Greenville Drive
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